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50 Soul-Healing Rescue Pet Photos Of This Month That’ll Warm Your Heart

  • By Saif
  • February 5, 2022
  • 11 minutes read

Every year, around 6.3 million companion animals are surrendered to animal shelters in the United States. (Of those, around 3.1 million are dogs, and approximately 3.2 million are cats).

And while the numbers appear to be enormous, they are actually becoming smaller. According to some estimates, the number of dogs and cats entering shelters in the United States each year has decreased from roughly 7.2 million in 2011. Another important statistic to note is that each year, around 4.1 million shelter animals are adopted, and 810,000 animals who enter shelters as strays are returned to their owners.

We have gathered some most gorgeous rescue animal photographs that we found on the internet, to demonstrate what a difference a second chance at life and loving home can make to a critter. So, keep scrolling down to have a peek at these aww-dorable rescued images!

1. This guy is so overjoyed after meeting his pet in the hospital!

Via Sensitive-Ad-8403

This Man Was Forced To Give His Dog To The Humane Society Due To Undergoing Lengthy Hospital Stay. This Nurse Found Out And Immediately Went To The Shelter And Adopted His Dog. She Brings Him To Visit Daily And Will Return Him As Soon As The Man Is Released!

2. This good guy adopts elderly doggo so he doesn’t have to die alone…

Via asianj1m

Since we’ve already slipped into our cozy sweaters, hoodies, and jackets, it’s time to talk about how animals survive the cold.

We called the PDSA, the UK’s premier vet charity, to find more about how they do it. If anyone can tell us anything about animal welfare, it’s these people. Every year, the organization’s 48 hospitals’ dedicated personnel work relentlessly to give 2.7 million veterinary treatments, including 440,000 preventative treatments. This benefits around 470,000 well-loved pets and gives 300,000 owners peace of mind.

“Unlike our own pets, stray animals may struggle to find shelter from cold and rainy weather in the winter,”

PDSA Vet Lynne James told: “They may also struggle to find enough food and water to keep them healthy.”

3. You don’t choose cats, cats choose you!

Via tonysnark32

Meet Finley. He Followed Me Home On A Night I Was Sad And Feeling Especially Lonely. Then He Walked Right Inside Like He Owned My House. (I Did Check For A Chip And Officially Adopted Him From His Feral Cat Agency.) Everyone Says He Chose Me.

4. This is how love can change you.

Via casslomb

Bartolito The Day He Was Rescued vs. ~3 Weeks~ Later.

5. Look at Cecil’s eyebrows!

Via Ok_Flow_8679

This Cecil. I Adopted Him Through The Starbucks Drive Thru. The Customer Showed Me A Passenger Seat Full Of Kittens And Said “Do You Want A Kitten?” And I Said “Absolutely I Do”. I Took The Kitten, Put Him In My Apron Pocket, And Asked To Go Home Early. Cecil Is Now Six.

Rough weather and the additional challenges that it brings also aren’t helping anyone. James said that, “Cats and dogs can’t catch colds from humans (and we can’t catch colds from them), but they can suffer from different infections that cause similar symptoms.”

“For cats, a runny nose and sneezing could be signs of ‘cat flu,’ a condition which can involve several different cat-specific viruses. Cat flu can make your cat feel generally unwell and there may be other signs such as ulcers on the tongue or eye problems.”

6. Princess Kimchi, before and after adoption!

Via gabrielapintican

7. A perfect definition of Black Beauty!

Via Valkrya

My Black Kitten I Adopted Last Week Looks Like She Has “White Eyeliner” On Her Eyes.

8. This girl was rescued in a horrible condition. Now she’s living the best of her life.

Via Keeper-Of-The-Cosmos

Rescued Is Horrific Condition Severely Emaciated With Wide Open Sores On Her Back Legs This Girl Has Been Adopted And Is Living Her Best Life.

“Kennel cough is a very contagious respiratory disease in dogs that causes a high-pitched cough that can be made worse by activity,” the vet explained. “Most dogs don’t feel generally unwell with kennel cough but some can get a runny nose or weepy eyes and they can go off their food.”

Training your eye to recognize these signs can serve as a valuable tool to in maintaining your little companion’s well-being. “Although not life-threatening, it is important to get your pets treated. Kennel cough may go away on its own but if dogs are still coughing after a few days then owners should seek veterinary advice. Coughing, sneezing and a runny nose can sometimes be caused by more serious issues and so it is a good idea to speak to your vet if you are concerned.”

9. This 18 years adopted old cat has the most wonderful eyes!

Via KeyserSozeWearsPrada

My Friend Just Adopted An 18 Year Old Cat Named Cat.

10. This cat thinks, it’s her responsibility to protect everything that’s shiny.

Via madiswanrh

I Think I Accidentally Adopted A Dragon. She Thinks It’s Her Job To Hoard And Guard Anything Shiny.

11. This pooch was rescued from a frozen river!

Via wichocdlowmer

A Sicko Tied A Rock To This Dog & Threw Him On A Frozen River. Dog Is Rescued & Found A Good Home.

“After seeing a vet, who will prescribe any necessary medication and check nothing more serious is going on, pets should have a quiet, warm and comfy place where they can rest and recover,” Lynne James said.

“Owners should encourage their pets to eat and drink, especially if they are unwell. For cats suffering from cat flu, owners can place them in a very steamy room like the bathroom to help to clear out their noses a few times a day. Dogs with kennel coughs should be kept calm as barking and excitement can make their cough worse. They should also be kept away from other dogs until they are no longer coughing.”

James added: “Cats and dogs should have yearly vaccinations, which will help prevent or lessen the symptoms of diseases like cat flu and kennel cough,”

“It is important to know that kennel cough can be caught wherever dogs congregate such as parks or at training classes – not just kennels!”

12. What a beauty!

Via Kitty_casserole

My Foster’s Adoption Profile Has Zero Views After A Week…. Why Does Nobody Want Her??

13. An adorable grumpy cat!

Via day_wave

Found This Absolute Unit Living Underneath A Pallet At Work.

14. Picture full of wholesomeness.

Via limashy

Meet The New Rescues: Lulu, Luna, And Nana.

15. This small parrot is so relaxed in this palm.

Via RebeccaDeVille

He Finally Trusts Me Enough To Sleep In My Hands.

16. Isn’t this one-eyed-stray cat perfect for adoption?

Via Shorse_rider

I’ve Applied To Adopt This Stray, One-Eyed Fiv Cat.

17. This guy’s life has improved dramatically after adopting this sweet boy.

Via Jingleberri

Since Adopting This Sweet Boy 2 Weeks Ago, Our Lives Have Been Exponentially Better.

18. Meet this adorable adopted Brick, who enjoys playing with bright-colored balls.

Via MARLeague

19. Cuddling buddies!

Via MasudiCat

4 Y/O Rescue And His 5 M/O Best Bud. Totally Inseparable Since Day 1.

20. This pooch appears to be waiting for someone to come and save him.

Via Kimmie6602

Rescued From A Shelter Where He Was Scheduled For Euthanasia. Now He Is My Happy, Snuggly Best Friend. My Sweet Boy, Macaroni.

21. 30 Pounds cat!

Via KoreanAbdul-Jabbar

Mister, a 30 pound chonky cat, is up for adoption at Michigan Humane.

22. Dogs are happiest when rescued!

Via tim_durgan

When I Adopted Her, I Made It My Aim To See This Smile As Often As Possible.

23. This rescued fox is cute AF.

Via IAmABunnyToo

This Is Juniper, A Super Happy Rescue Fox!

24. Inseparable babies!

Via kayes15

Just Adopted These Bonded Babies Thursday… Crying.

25. This guy received a perfect surprise.

Via shanemente52

Vet Told Us The Stray We Adopted Wasn’t Pregnant, So This Was Quite The Surprise Last Night!.

26. Squishy doggo named Appa!

Via Urfavhonky

Just Rescued This Handsome Man. His Name Is Appa.

27. Glad this beautiful girl was rescued…

Via Hoperosaliex

One Of My Saddest Beginning Rescue Cases. This Senior Declawed Girl Was Living In A Hotel Storm Drain Starving. As Soon As I Got The Call, I Rushed There. She Had To Be Sedated And Shaved, As Seen In The Before Photo Due To Matting. She Was So Thin.

28. So, this mom rescued a pirate pooch.

Via Money_Box

My Bonus Mom Rescued A Pirate Pitty So Her Other Pitty Could Have A Friend. Meet Remy!

29. Doggo with 3 legs and a happy face!

Via thebaldingqueen

His Adoption Fee Was Discounted Because He Only Has 3 Legs.

30. The way these two pups are holding their paws after adoption.

Via wcslater

Adopted 2 Pups From The Spca And Caught Them Holding Paws Comforting Each Other.

31. That’s the power of love!

Via Hoperosaliex

The Power Of Rescue! I Rescue Animals. This Is Pearl The Day I Got Her, And Her Today In Her Forever Home!

32. Zorba looks so terrified!

Via SHybrid 

His Name Is Zorba, He Has Behavioral Issues Due To Abandonment And Bad Shelter Experience, I Adopted Him. He’s Coming Home Today.

33. Look at these adopted partners in crime!

Via CutieToTop

34. That’s a drastic and lovely transformation!

Via thelensguru

Lemon Before And After Adoption.

35. Having a pet is a source of joy and comfort.

Via B00KW0RM214

My Husband Developed A Fever And Our Rescue Lab Mix Daisy, Won’t Leave His Side. She’s Even Been Sleeping With Her Head On His Head.

36. Love his eyes!

Via alilbitobsessedReport

Rescued This Handsome Yelly Void After He’d Been Coming To My Door For Two Weeks (Getting Him Checked For A Microchip At The Vet)

37. Shadow, who was found from trash and was adopted.

Via CarnalMaze

Less Than 24 Hours After I Found Her Getting Into My Trash.. Brought This Pretty Girl To The Vet, And We’re Adopting Her. Shadow Says Hello!

38. Real Treasure Toby Rescued!

Via jordan12611

My GF Got Toby For $5 At A Rescue. Best $5 Ever Spent.

39. These two adopted cats Sienna (Back) And Miho are so adorable.

Via Inside-Plantain4868

My Wife And I Adopted These Two Goobers In 2020. Sienna (Back) And Miho.

40. Hello there, cutie!

Via Sufficient_Ad_907

After A Year Of Feeding, Spoiling And Small Cautious Head Pats, She Has Finally Adopted Me. Help Me Name This Sweet Thing.

41. This cat loves playing on the grass.

Via gothmuffin69

One Of The Two Cats We’ve Adopted, It Was Her First Time Outside.

42. Happy dog with a fluffy cap!

Via CrystalAckerman

My Old Man Brody, Rescued Him After Being Returned 2 Times. He Must Have Been Waiting For Me Because He’s Been The Best Dog. We Have Been Threw A Lot Together, He’s My Rock And Loves Wearing Hats!

43. Little slice of joy and happiness!

Via EvergreenSasquatch

Adopted Little Miss Freya Last Weekend. 1.3 Lbs Of Love.

44. Handsome Hippo!

Via toilet_commentary

Just Adopted My First Hippo. He Gets Compliments On How Good He Looks From Strangers On Every Walk.

45. We can hear these adopted pals purring and snoring.

Via nszki777

Sumi(Tabby) & Waka. Adopted Together And They Were Golden. We Sadly Lost Waka A Year Ago And This Was The Best Picture Of Them Together.

46. Before and After Adoption Picture Of This Pooch!

Via manicprisoner

The Day Before Adoption And 11 Months Later 1 More Month Until Gotcha Day.

47. Two years of happiness!

Via sheva0210

Before And After 2 Years Of Being Rescued.

48. Why are these lovely cats abandoned?

Via ifoundmyruth

My Wife Just Rescued This Baby Tonight. She’d Been Outside For A Few Days In Sub Zero Temps, Abandoned By Our Old Neighbors And We Weren’t Sure She’d Make It Another Night. Glad To Bring Her In And Warm Her Up!

49. Those hazel eyes.

Via kfenton5

BF And I Adopted This Sweet Girl Last Week From A Coworker Who Had To Rehome Her! Meet Kali Our Wonderful 9 Month Old Chocolate Lab!

50. Have you ever seen a snake being rescued?

Via SubjectMysteryReport

Rescued This Poor Fella From A Neglect Situation Last Night. Hoping I Can Bring Him Back To Good Health!

Which compiled picture caught your attention the most? Let us know in the comments section below.

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